Sound reproducing apparatus



April 23, 1940. R. DALLY SOUND REPRODUCING APPARATUS Filed June 27. 1938 6 Sheets-Sheet l N... l Nm. NNW Awww H. W... l

ly W3 R. DALLY SOUND REPRODUCING APPARATUS April 23, 1940.

Filed June 27. 1938 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 April 23, 1940. R. DALLY SOUND REPRDDUCING APPARATUS 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 27, 1958 April 23, 1940. R. DALLY- 2,197,967

SOUND REPRODUCING APPARATUS Filed June 27, 1958 e sheets-shed 4 April 23, 1940. R, DAL-LY 2,197,967 soUND REPRoDUcING APPARATUS l Filed June 27, 1938 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 -30 54? .-2.9 30 2Q jf@ eg 66 age 732707" Roy Patented Apr. 23, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENTv ()FFlCEv SOUND REPRODUCING APPARATUS Roy Dally, Racine, Wis., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Webster Electric Company, Racine, Wis., a corporation of Delaware Application June, 1938, Serial No. 216,027

9 Claims.

Ther present invention relates to sound reproducing apparatus, land is particularly oo ncerned with improved constructions oi phonographs including improved tone arms, pickups, and circuit therefor. w

One of the objects of the invention is the provision of an improved sound reproduction appa- -ratus which includes pickups of the crystal type adapted to .give the best reproduction and minimum record wear, and to eliminate undesirable frequency responses.

Another object of the invention :is the provision of an improved sound reproductionl apparatus of high iidelity which is adapted to be used with conventionalphonographs having a turntable and sound amplifier apparatus.

Another object is the provision of an improved sound reproduction apparatus of the' class described Which is adapted to make provision for bass compensation and which is adapted to provide compensation for heat effects. v

Another object of the invention is the lprovision of anv improved sound reproducingapparatus of the class described, by means ofwhich practically perfect needle tracking can be secured. v

Another object is the provision of an improved construction of tone arm which is adapted to effect a high fidelity sound reproduction, and which is adapted to be utilized with Various types of pickups andother apparatus.

Another object is the provision of an improved tone arm construction 'by means of which pro- Vision is made for the support of the tone arm out of contact with the record when the needle has been' removed, so that the tone arm canv never drop upon the recordand so that the tone arm may be made extremely light to diminish inertia and secure high delity reproduction.

Another object is the provision of an improved tone arm pivotal supportby means oiwhich the tone arm may beso mounted that it can be lifted up when installed on the phonograph toY such a. position that the bottom of the pickup can be inspected and the'needle can he most conveniently inserted;

Other objects and advantagesv of -the invention will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings, in which similar characters of reference indicate similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawings, of which there are six sheets,

Fig. v1 lis a fragmentary top .plan view of a phonograph showing the. turntable-and-tone arm (Cl.V 179-100.41)

i constructed according to the invention, when the tone arm is equipped vwith a magnetic pickup;

Fig. 2 is aA f ullsized vertical sectional view through the tone arm and its support, taken along kthe plane of the line .2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged; double size fragmentary sectional view of therpickup of Fig. 2, taken on the plane of the line ii-3 of Fig. 2i

Fig. 4 is a similar vertical sectional View taken on the plane of thenline 444 of 3;.

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken on the plane of the line `.rl--gi of Fig. 3; Fig. 6 is a fragmentaryfside elevational view of the right end of the tone' arm, taken on the plane of the line 6 1-6 of Fig. l;

Fig. 7 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the plane of theline 'l-l of Fig. 6, looking in they direction of the arrows;

Fig. 8 is a full size,ytop plan view of a tone armof the type of Fig. i,provided with a crystal pickup, parts of the tone arm being broken'away to show the interiorstructure; l

Fig. 9 is AayerticalA sectional View, taken on the plane of the lineyS-S oi Fig. 8, looking in the direction of the arrows; l

Fig. 10 isa verticalsectional View, taken .on theplane of the line lli-i0 of Fig. 8, looking in the direction l,of the arrows;

Fig. 11 is a bottom plan view of ithe pickup of Fig. 8; n Y

Fig. 12 is a vertical sectional view, taken on the plane of the line I2-,l2 of Fig. 8, looking in `the direction of the arrowsshowing certain `details of construction "of the pickup; A

v13 is a fragmentary horizontalsectional view, takenv on the Aplane of the line lf3- i3 ofy Fig. 14, showing details of the construction of the pickup; .,Fig. 14. `is a vertical sectional view, taken through the pickup of Fig. 12, on the plane of,

.the lineyl-IIL looking inthe direction of the arrows; y

Fig.15 is a diagrammatic `top plan view of the turntable, .showing the location of parts of the record, lturntalole,ef1.nd tonefrarm support, for the f i securing substantially perfect tracktrally located aperture 4l.

Fig. 24 is a vertical section on a plane passing,

through pivots of the tone arm.

Referring to Fig. l, 29 indicates the shaft forl the turntable of an electric phonograph, prefl erably of the type that is driven by an electric motor and provided with an amplifier, whereby the signals which are picked up from` the record 2| on the turntable may be suitably amplified and transmitted to a loud speaker.

The turntable is rotably mounted on the support 22, which may also carry the base 23 of a tone arm 24. The tone arm is shown in full size in Fig. 2 and in vertical section.

The turntable is preferably formed of light metal, such as aluminum or an aluminum alloy, and by a stamping operation, by means of which the tone arm may be formed all in one piece of metal.

The tone arm comprises a relatively long and wide metal shell, having comparatively flat side walls 25, 26, cylindrical end walls 21 and 28, all of these walls being integrally joined tothe top 29 by curved portions.

The top is provided with a pair of integral pressed ribs 39, extending from one end to the other end, and diverging for the purpose of ornamentation and reinforcement.

The tone arm preferably tapers from the right to the left in Fig. l, being smaller at the end which is pivotally supported on the base 23 and larger at the end which carries the pickup, so that the pickup may be disposed at a suitable -angle to secure substantially perfect tracking.

' The upper wall 29 of the tone arm is provided with an aperture 3| for receiving'the screw bolt 32, which is adapted to secure the pickup in place. 'Ihe aperture 3i may be provided with a pressed `formation fitting the tapered lower side of the pressed formation 33.

The tone arm 24 is mounted upon the base 23 for pivotal movement in a horizontal plane and in a vertical plane, and the present construction yis particularly adapted to save space and permit the movement of the tone arm to such a position that the lower side of the pickup can be inspected when the needle is being put in the pickup.

The base 23 may comprise a stamped metal member, preferably constructed of steel, and of substantially cup shape, having an open lower end formed by a cylindrical wall' 34, the lower edge of which is alll in the same plane, eX-

" cept for the groove 36, so that the edge 35 may engage the support 22 to which it is secured by a plurality of screws locatedin the apertures 31.

The cylindrical wall 34 is integrally joined to an annular radially extending flange 38, which is joined to a frusto-conical wall 39 having a flat top 40. The` at top 40 is provided with a cen- Tlie aperture 4I is adapted to receive the reduced cylindrical portion 42 of a steel tube-43,.` having an annular shoulder 43 engaging the lower side of the top 40.

The tube 43 is riveted over above the top 40 so that it is xedly secured in the aperture 4I and adapted to serve as abearing for the tone arm trunnion.

The tone arm trunnion may consist of a brass tube 44 adapted to be rotatably mounted in the steel tube 43, and the brass tube 44 is provided at its lower end with a spring washer 45 engaging the end of the bearing 43.

The spring washer 45 is in turn engaged by a split steel spring wire 46, which is engaged in a groove 41 located in the periphery of that portion of the brass tube 44 which projects beyond the end of the bearing 43. At its upper end the brass trunnion 44 is formed with an integral radially projecting flange 48, which is adapted to engage below the tone arm supporting member 49.

`'I'he extreme end of the trunnion 44 is riveted over as at 59 above the member 49, which comprises a galvanized steel strip of relatively stifl:` steel or iron, having an' aperture 5l. Thus the tone arm supporting member 49 is flxedly riveted to the trunnion 44, and the member 49 is adapted to be pivotally mounted for rotation on a vertical aXis.

The radial flange 48 serves as a thrust bearing, .engaging the upper end of the bearing 43, and the spring washer 45 serves as a lower thrust bearing, engaging the lower end of the bearing 43. 'Ihe spring washer 45 is in turn engaged by the split steel wire ring 46, which springs into its groove 41 and holds the parts in assembled relation.

The tone arm supporting member 49 has a central flat body 52 which extends at right angles to the bearing 44, but its forward end is bent up diagonally at 53, so that the end 54 is located in close proximity to the lower side of the top 29 a record, the stopping position being shown in dotted lines in Fig. 6. The.opposite end of the tone arm supporting member 49 is bent downwardly slightly at 55 and, as shown in Fig. 7, has laterally projecting f,

bearing lugs 56 oppositely located at each side of that end.

The bearing lugs 56 are suitably upset so that they are provided with substantially frusto-conical formations 51, terminating in cylindrical 1,..

trunnions 58 adapted to be received in the apertures 59, which are formed in the bearing brack- The cylindrical trunnions 58 are a substantial Afit in the apertures 59 of the bearing brackets, gthereby assuring the bearing engagement between the brackets and the supporting member 49, but the bearing brackets 69 are resilient, and

y they press tightly and resiliently against the .frusto-conical surfaces 51 so as to take up all;

rattling and play; and in the 'event'of any wear g on the bearings 59 or trunnionsEB, this will be taken up by the resilient engagement of the bearing brackets with the frusto-conical surfaces 51. A.

The bearing brackets are identical in construction, but are oppositely disposed, and therefore only one need be described in detail.`

Each bearing bracket may be constructed of a.

tsteelstrinihavins aatbody 6l, which flatly engages the inner wall 25 or 26,. to which these bodies are riveted. by rivets 62. The, bearing strips are curved inwardly atf63, and the offset or shoulder is provided. with anaperture; 64,

. which. serves to support. thexinsulated. conductors 65, 6 6, which connect the pickup in. the circuit. The bearing brackets are also provided with the two parallel end` portions. 61, which have the apertures 59 and serve as bearings.

By virtue of the. length and resiliency of these. bearing brackets, the parallel end portions 6.1 press. tightly against the frusto-conical part 5.1 on the tone, arm supporting. member 49. .Thus the tone arm is supported for pivotal. movement on a horizontal axis, 'which is the axis of the trunnions 58.

The rearwardly extending portion 55. of the tone arm supporting member 49 carries .the pivotal points 5.8, back.` sulciently beyond. the base 34 sov that the` end wall 28 does not engage the baseV 23 until the tone arm is pivotedupward to such a position that it ispractically vertically disposed. .The relation of parts may be such that the tone arm. may be lifted to a position slightly past the vertical so. that the lower edge at the point 68 may serve as a stop. surface engagingthe frusto-conical flange 39 to hold the tone arm past its dead center in substantially vertical position.` l

In this position the pickup may be inspected and the needle may be. very` conveniently inserted, since the aperture for the needle is readily visible. It is not necessary to try to nd the aperture merely by feeling around, as in many of the devices of the prior art, which are so constructed that the tone arm cannot be liftedl to a point where the needle aperture is visible. The base and tone arm are so arranged that suitable provision is made for the conductors 85, 66, which may pass in through to the slot 38, up through the bearing tube 44, through the apertures 84, and along the inside of the tone arm to the pickup unit 18.

In order to provide stop means for limiting the rotation or movement of the tone arm 24 about a vertical axis, the tone armsup'portingmember 49 is providedwith a. depending pin |4I, which is riveted to themember 49 by means of an integral annular flange |42 and a head |43. The pin |45 projects through an arcuateY slot |44 in the top wall 48. of the base. 23, the slot being better shown in Fig. 7. Thus the engagement of the pin |4| with the ends of the slot. |44 determines the amount of movement of the tone arm. This prevents the tone arm frornmoving over far enough to hit the turntable shaft 28 or so far in the opposite direction that it may run off the turntable;

Referring to Figs. 2 to 5, these illustrations show the use of a pickup 18 of the'magnetic type, adapted to be housed in the left end of` the tone arm 24. The magnetic pickup is preferably supported upon a supporting plate 88, having a flat lower body 8| and an upwardly turned housing -fiange 82. The body 8| is substantially rectangular in plan, except that its left end (Fig. 4) is curved to t the inside of the curved end wall 21. The housing iange 82 is likewise curved tofit the curvatureof the top wall 29, except that. it is provided with a pair of partially circular recesses 83 for passing the conductors 65, 66. The plate 88 is preferably made of non-magnetic material, such as, for example, aluminum or aluminum alloy, which is ofl additional advantage because ofits lightness, sothattheplate will...not1short circuit any of the magnetic lines of force ofthe horseshoe magnet 84.. l

The plate also .supportsv a pair of magnetic core members 85, which serve as pole pieces `for the magnet 84, and also serve to embrace the coils 86, preferably carried by a spool ,81. The core members 85 are substantially C-shaped, as shown in Fig. 5, when assembled, but when separately considered are each of substantially U shape.

Each core member 85 preferably comprises a lower iiat vattaching flange 88, an upwardly extending ilange 89, Iand a top ange 98,. which is parallel to the lower ange 88; Thelower flange 88 has a threaded bore 9| for receiving the screw bolt 92, whichpasses throughan aperture 93 in the supporting plate 88, to which each of` the core members 85 are ixedlyv secured.

yThe core members 85 arealsoI joined at the top` are xedly secured in predetermined spaced relation to each other at the topv and the bottom, andare thus. adapted to support the spool |81 and other parts, later to be described.

The spool member may comprise a molded insulating memberv constructed of'v insulation,.such as -a lphenolic condensation compound, upon which there is wound the insulated coils 88, withinfwhich are generated the oscillating electromotive forces and currentsresulting from the movement of the phonograph needle. The two leads from the coils 86 are connected to the connectors 99, which in turn are connected tothe.

conductors 65, 86, carried by the tone arm. The connectors 99 are mounted upon an insulating plate |88, which in turn is secured by a metal bracket. 8| anda-'rivet |82 to the supporting plate 88.

The core members 85 each-have their lower flange 88 formed with a partially cylindrical' groove |83` so that when these core members are arranged in the position of Fig. 5 the oppositely disposed grooves |83 form. a partially cylindrical recess for receiving a chuck |84.

.The chuck |84 consists of a member con-y structed of magnetic metal having a pair o op, positely extending horizontal cylindrical trunnions |85, |86, each of which is provided with a resilient, soft rubber .tube |81,.|88, serving as a cushion bearing.

The pole pieces 85l are provided with slots at the point |89 between the trunnions |85, |86 of the chuck so that the grooved portions |83 are provided only at the ends of the two laterally projecting legs ||8,carried.by thelower flange portion 88 of the pole piece 85. Thus `therubber tubes or bearings |81, |88 engage thepole pieces 85, but the central portion of the chuck is left free for movement and does not engage the ends of the core members or pole pieces 85.

The chuck has itsxtrunnion |85 provided with av threaded bore for receiving the clamping screw ||2,.which in this case is relatively long and is threadedinto' the bore. for clamping the needle H3. Inorder to.v insulate the clamping screw ||2r from the housing and prevent any possibility; ofv any scrapingnoises, another rubber tube I I4 is mounted onthe shank of the clamping screw I|2, covering it froml a point outside the tone arm to the end of the trunnion |05. The clamping screw ||2 is provided with a knurled head ||5.

The chuck I 04 also has a depending lug I6, which is inclined at a slight angle to the vertical so as to support the needle |I3 in a direction extending toward the direction of movement of the record. The lug ||6 has an internal bore I which communicates with the threaded bore III and is adapted to receive the needle ||3. The clamping screw |I2 thus engages the needle and clamps itin the bore ||'I.

The chuck |04 is also provided with an upwardly extending lug formation I I8, which terminates in a flat or spade-like end I I9. The spadelike end ||9 `is disposed between the ends |20 of the upper flange 90 of the pole pieces 85. These upper flanges 90 are tapered inwardly at |2| on both sides so that the flat end is of substantially the same width as the flat armature I I0 carried by the chuck |04. Thus the tapered ends of the pole pieces direct the major portion of the ex toward the armature.

The pole pieces are also provided with inwardly extending slots |22 at the ends |20, and the slots are lled with rectangular rubber blocks |23. Each rectangular rubber block is engaged by the depending flange |24 of a compression bracket |25, which is mounted upon a screw bolt |26 that is threaded'into the pole pieces 85.

The screw bolt |20 also rotatably houses a cam member`|2l having an outwardly projecting lug |28, and the position of the compression bracket and its depending ange |24 may be very easily adjusted by rotating the cam |21 by means of the lug |28, during which motion the edge |23 of the cam will engage the depending flange |24 and place compression on the rubber block |23.

'I'he rubber block |23 engages the flat armature IIS, and the two blocks |23 are adapted to normally support the armature in spaced relation to the ends |20 of both poles. The ends |20 of the pole pieces are spaced sufiiciently so as to leave a slight clearance between the armature and the ends of the pole pieces.

In order to eliminate any` possibility of engagement between the depending lug I I5 of the chuck |04 and the supporting plate 80, the supporting plate is provided with an enlarged rectangular aperture |30 and with a pressed depression I 3| `for receiving a rectangular rubber pad |32, which has an aperture for receiving the lug IIG.

rIhe rubber pad |32 closes the aperture |30 around the chuck and assures clearance for the movement of the chuck without engagement with the supporting plate 80.

The supporting plate 80 is also provided with a centrally located aperture |33 for passing a screw bolt |34, which is threadedinto a spacer sleeve |35. The spacer sleeve is thus xedly secured on the supporting plate and is adapted to receive in its other threaded end the screw bolt 32, previously mentioned.

Thus the plate 80 with its magnetic pickup is xedly secured in the tone arm 24.

As the supporting plate 80 engages the end wall of the tone arm, the side walls of the tone arm, and the top wall of the tone arm, by means of its spacer sleever |35 and ange 82, it may be secured in place by a single securing screw 32. The permanent magnet 84 may be supported in the pickup assembly by means of a single supporting screw (it,y which passes through an aperture |31 in the housing'ange 82, and is provided withlock nuts |38 andspring washers on each side of the iiange 82. I f

Thezscrew bolt |36 vhas' a conical end |39 which engages in a corresponding recess |40 in the yoke of the permanent magnet 84. The permanent magnet may be properly located with its ends engaging the sides of the pole pieces 85, and then clamped in that position by the pressure placed upon it with the screw bolt |36. The head of the screw bolt |36 being located in a recess positively prevents movement of its end of the magnet and the opposite end of the magnet is held by friction and magnetic force. The pole pieces 85 are thus magnetized by the permanent magnet and for practical purposes become a part of the permanent magnet, while thus assembled. The yoke 94 being constructed of non-magnetic metal, it does not short circuit the ux of the magnet.

The operation of the electromagnetic pickup will be evident from the preceding description.

The needle I |3 is vibrated in a lateral direction due to the recorded irregularities in the record, and thus the armaturel I9 is correspondingly oscillated. The armature I I9 being disposed in the magnetic field betweenv the pole pieces 85, its movement causes variations and changes in the position ofthe ux which causes the magnetic lines of force to cut the electrical coils 06 and produce electrical oscillations in the coils which are transmitted through the conductors 65, 65.

Referring to Figs. 8-11, these are views of a modied form of tone arm which is provided with a crystal pickup.' The same tone arm housing 24 may be combinedwith a crystal pickup |45, and

due to the smaller size of the crystal pickup unit |45, with respect to the relatively wide tone arm housing, `the crystal pickup may be disposed at such an .angle as to secure substantially perfect tracking. p

`Referring to Fig. 15, this is a diagrammatic illustration ofthe illustration in which |46, the outer circle, indicates the outermost groove of the record-starting groove, and |41 the innermost grooveof the record. Starting and stopping grooves may' lbellocated beyond the grooves |46 and groove |4, as it is not necessary to consider the location of those grooves in providing for perfect tracking. The circle |48 is midway between the circles |42? and |46, and since it is impossible to make the angle `of the needle perfect at all points on the record, a point midway between the innermost groove and outermost groove represented by the circle |48 may be selected for perfect tracking.

With a straight arm and the needle point passing through the center, the tracking is never perfect and may vary from 7% at the inner circle to 14% `at the mid circle and 20.5% at the outer circle., This. may be corrected by using an olfset head or by arranging the pickup unit at an angle, which secures perfect tracking at the average center-recorded groove |43; and the proper angle for the axis of the pickup unit is that at which this axis is tangential to The` H2 when the pickup unit |45 is so arranged. The pickup unit |45 is substantially rectangular in end elevation, as shown in Fig. 10, and its flat ides |59|53 may be engaged by the U-shaped bracket |54 and by the supporting plate 80 so that the crystal unit is clamped to the supporting plate.

The U-shaped bracket |54 has laterally turned attaching flanges |55, which have threaded bores for receiving the screw bolts |56 passing through the supporting plate 80. U-shaped' bracket |54 mayv also have a threaded bore |51 in its yoke for receiving the screw bolt 32,.which secures the complete pickup assembly to the tone arm.

In the particular embodiment of p-ickup unit |45, illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9, the pickup unitv is provided with an integral depending lug formation |58, surrounding the needle |13, and therefore the supporting plate 80 has a corresponding rectangular aperture |59 for receiving this lug.

The lug |58 provides additional means for securing the crystal pickup unit |45 in place on the plate 80.

In addition to the pickup unit 45, the tone arm 24 also preferably supports a filter unit comprising the housing |80 and insulating support connectors 102464, and the resistance members |85, |66, as well as a condenser |81. Proper connections with the conductors 85, 68 are in this case made through the connectors |62|64, as

kshown in Fig. 11, according to the circuits further to be described.

The connections for this particular type of filter are shown in Fig. 2l. Various types of electromagnetic and crystal pickup units may be employed, such as those disclosed b-y my prior aplications, Ser. No. 102,303, Pickups, or Ser. No. 186,049, Pickups, and the disclosures of said applications are hereby incorporated by reference thereto.

Referring to Figs. 12-14, these areviews showing the construction of the crystal pickup unit |45. The crystal pickup unit, which is indicated in its entirety by the numeral |55. (Fig.

12) may be provided with a supporting housing consisting of a pair of housing members and |1| of molded insulating material, such `as a phenolic condensation compound, each half of the housing being provided with a similar recess |12, |13, so that the two recesses together form a chamber |14 for the crystal unit;

The crystal unit, Fig. 13, may consist of a plurality of trapezoidal plates |15, |16 of suitable crystals-such as Rochelle salts, havinglayers of metallic foil |11, |18, |19 between the plates and on the outsides thereof, the `two outer layers of tin foil being connected to a lead |80, and the central foil |18 having lead |8|.y The foil and crystals are cemented together with a suitable cement, such as the Rochelle salts, and are covered with an outer layer of .foil to protect the crystals from moisture. The right end (Fig. 17) of the crystal unit |82 may be clamped between the halves |18, |1| of the housing by a plurality of resilient blocks |83-|86, and the left end (Figs. 13 and 14) may be secured to the chuck |81, being clamped between the two metallic plates |88, |89 with a rubber cushion |90, engaging the crystal unit |82.

The screw bolt |9|, which is threaded into the plate |88, may be varied to change the response of the crystal unit |82, and the. crystal unit |82 is adapted to generate an electromotive force when it is subjected to operation. For this purpose the crystals |15, |16 must be "cut von a suitable aXis, after the manner described in the prior patent to'C. B. Sawyer No. 1,802,782, issued April 28, 1931, on Piezo-electric device.

The chuck |81 comprises a metal member formed of die cast metal having a pair of horizontally extending trunnions |92, |93, which are provided with rubber tubes |94, |95, serving as resilient bearings, and sealing the unit |45 against the entrance of moisture. The housing halves |10, |1| are formed with a suitable chamber' |98 for the chuck, and with'thehemi-cylindrical bearingA grooves |91, |98 for the rubber tubes |94, |95, which are resiliently clamped by the halves |10, |1| when the halves of the ,housing are secured together.

The trunnion |92 has a threaded bore for receiving the screw bolt |99, which clamps the needle 200 in a needle bore 20| that communicates with the bore for the screw |99. The needle supporting portion202 of the chuck may also beprovided with a rubber tube 203 fitting in a suitable groove in the housing-|10, |1| to seal this part of the housing against the entrance. of moisture. The two halves of the housing may be secured together by bolts or rivets 204, tubular rivets being preferred so that the bolts 205 may pass through the rivets and be used for securing the pickup unit |45 to the tone arm, if desired.

At the opposite end, the housing halves |10, |1| are provided with suitable rconnectors 208, 201, to which the leads 65, 86 from the pickup unit may be secured. These connectors 208 comprise metallic members with suitable screws, and they may be held in eitherhalf of the housing |10, |1|. y

Referring to Figs. 16-19, these figures show additional views of pickup units constructed by me in which they half housing members 208, 209 were constructed of metal, such as `die cast metal secured together by bolts or rivets 2|0. In this case the mode of support of the chuck and the crystal unit is substantially the same as previously-described,`except that the connectors musty be insulated from the housing. For example, in Fig. 17, the connectors may comprise cotter-pins 2| 2|2, carried by metallic tubes 2|3, 2|4, and having the heads of the Cotter-pins soldered to the leads |80, |8|. v

The tubes 2|3, 2|4 have a frictional fit in the bores 2|5 in an insulating block 2|6. Theright end of the housing halves 208, 209 hasv the chamber v|14 open to receive `the insulating block 2|8, which is secured in place by virtue'of the fact that the bolt or rivet 2|0 passes not only through the housing halves A208, 209 (Fig. 17), but also through the insulating block 2 IB.

:sov

1n Figs. 18 and 19, the metallic sleeves 2|3, l

contained in complementary bores in the housinghalves |10, |1|, 208, 209, and engaging the opposite sides of the chuck above and below the trunnions |92, |93.

These rubber blocks may, in turn, be engaged by adjustable screws in the housing halves |10,

|1|, the adjustable screws having their slotted` heads accessible outside the crystal pickup unit so that the resilient pressure of the rubber blocks 2 i8, 2 I9 on the chuck may be adjusted to vary its response to the needle 200.

"Referring to Figs. 20-23, these are diagrammatic views showing the connection of the crystal pickups in circuits, including an amplifier. In each of these views the crystal pickup is indicated by the number |45 and the needle by the number 200. The leads from the crystal pickup are |80 and |8I. 3|0 indicates the grid of one of the tubes of the amplifier SI2. 3|| indicates the plate thereof.

It should be understood that these are fragmentary diagrams and that the other elements of the complete wiring diagram will be evident to one skilled in the art. p

In Fig. 20 the leads |80, 8| are connected to a high resistance potentiometer 3|3, such as, for example, 500,000 ohms. The variable arm 3|4 of the potentiometer is connected to the grid 3|0. The opposite or fixed end of the potentiometer is connected by lead 3|5 to the filter, which comprises the resistance or impedance 3|6 and condenser 3|? connected in parallel, the opposite end of the filter being connected to the plate 3| In Fig. 2l, the potentiometer 3|3 maintains a constant impedance circuit with condenser 320 and crystal pickup |45. It is identical to Fig. 23, later to be described, as a high fidelity filter. However, when the arm of potentiometer 3|3 is moved, inserting more or less resistance in series with lead 3M, it becomes a very effective tone control, adjusting the high frequency response to any desired value. Potentiometer 326 is the customary volume control.

Referring to Fig. 22, this is another embodiment in which the filter unit enclosed in the housing3|8 comprises the series impedance 3|9 connected in the lead |8| and a condenser 320 and impedance 32| which is connected across the leads |80, |8| beyond the impedance 3|9.

Referring to Fig. 23, in this embodiment the filter unit 322 merely comprises a condenser 323 and impedance 324 connected across the leads |80, |8|.

The various filters are used in different installations to secure a high fidelity response, and should not be used after the volume control. The volume control should be a 500,000 ohm potentiometer connected with the constant impedance side to the pickup, for the best results. 500,000 ohms resistance gives a greater than normal Vbass response, but a normal bass response can be secured with a 200,000 ohm resistance. lThe impedance of the crystal pickup at 100 cycles is 300,000 ohms, and the voltage output is approXimately 1.6 volts.

By means of the foregoing circuits and pickups, circuits and tone arms, arrangements may be made for various sizes of records, with or without volume control, and for high delity response. Practically perfect tracking can be secured, and the needle noises may be filtered out by means of these filters.

The tone arms permit lifting of the pickup end to such a height that the needle aperture is clearly visible and so that the needle may be very easily inserted, thereby saving much time and trouble in the insertion of needles. The pickup unit and tone arm may be made very light so as to reduce the inertia and thereby reduce the wear on records due to the weight placed on the needle in the devices of the prior art.

While I have illustrated a preferred embodiment of my invention, many modifications may be made Without departing from the spirit of the invention, and I do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth, but desire to avail myself of all changes within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. In a tone arm, the combination of an elongated, downwardly open, stamped sheet metal shell, having an upper Wall, side walls, and end walls of predetermined size, with an electrical pick-up unit at one end of said shell, and means for supporting the other end of said shell for substantially universal movement, said pick-up being disposed at an angle to the major axis of said tone arm, and said tone arm being provided with an aperture for receiving a pick-up needle screw, and means for securing said pick-up in said tone arm, and a housing member comprising a pair of anges at right angles to each other, said anges being provided with end portions, one end portion fitting inside the end of the shell, and the other end portion tting inside the body of the shell, and means for securing said housing member to said shell to enclose the pickup unit, said housing member having an aperture for protrusion of a needle carried by said pick-up.

2. In a tone arm, the combination of an elongated, downwardly open, stamped sheet metal shell, having an upper wall, side walls, and end Walls of predetermined size, with an electrical pick-up unit at one end of said shell, and means for supporting the other end of said shell for substantially universal movement, said pick-up being disposed at an angle to the major axis of said tone arm, and said tone arm being provided with an aperture for receiving a pick-up needle screw, and means for securing said pick-up in said tone arm, and a housing member comprising a pair of flanges at right angles to each other, said anges being provided with end portions, one end portion fitting inside the end of the shell, and means for securing said housing member to said shell to enclose the pick-up unit, said housing member having an aperture for protrusion of a needle carried by said pick-up, said pick-up comprising an electric magnetic pickup and resilient rubber surrounding said needle screw and surrounding a needle chuck which forms a part of said pick-up.

3. In a tone arm, the combination of a crystal pickup unit with a metal shell, said crystal pickup unit being of such size with respect to the metal shell that it may be arranged at a substantially perfect tracking angle when the tone arm is mounted with respect to a turntable, said metal shell having a pair of rearwardly extending bearing brackets of resilient material provided with apertures, and a base having trunnions for reception in said apertures, said trunnions and apertures being located adjacent the extreme lower and outer corner of said shell, whereby the tone arm may be lifted until the lower surface of the pickup is visible.

4. In a tone arm, the combination of a crsytal pickup unit with a metalshell, said crystal pickup unit being of such size with respect to the metal shell that it may be arranged at a substantially perfect tracking angle when the tone arm is mounted with respect to a turntable, a tone arm base comprising a cup-shaped metal member, a tube fixedly carried by said base, and a tubular bearing member for carrying said tone arm, said tubular bearing member being mounted in the first-mentioned tube for rotation about a vertical axis, said bearing member lixedly carrying a tone arm supporting member at its upper end, bearings carried by said tone arm, and trunnions carried by said tone arm supporting member, said bearings and trunnions being vlocated adjacent the lower rear corner of the tone arm shell, said tone arm supporting member having an upwardly extending flange on the side opposite said trunnions, .providing a stop engaging said shell to hold the tone arm when the needle has been removed from the pickup.

5. In a tone arm, the combination of a crystal pickup unit with a metal shell, said crystal pickup unit being of such size with respect to the metal shell that it may be arranged at a substantially perfect tracking angle when the tone arm is mounted with respect to a turntable, a tone arm base comprising a cup-shaped metal member, a tube fixedly carried by said base, and a tubular bearing member for carrying said tone arm, said tubular bearing member being mounted in the 'first-mentioned tube for rotation about a vertical axis, said bearing member iixedly carrying a tone arm supporting member at its upper end, bearings carried by said tone arm, and trunnions carried by said tone arm supporting member, said bearings and trunnions being located adjacent the lower rear corner of the tone arm shell, said toneV arm supporting member having a depending pin and said base having an arcuate slot for receiving said pin whereby the rotational motion of the tone arm about a vertical axis is limited.

6. In a tone arm, the combination of a crystal pickup unit witha metal shell, said crystal pickup unit being of such size with respect to the metal shell that it may be arranged at a substantially perfect tracking angle when the tone arm.-

is mounted with respect to a turntable, a tone arm base comprising a cup-shaped metal member, a tube xedly carried by said base, and a tubular bearing member for carrying said tone arm, said tubular bearing member being mounted in the rst-mentioned tube for rotation about a vertical axis, said bearing member flxedly carrying a tone arm supporting member at its upper end, bearings carried by said tone arm, and trunnions carried by said tone arm supporting member, said bearings and trunnions being located adjacent the lower rear corner of the tone arm shell. the bearings on said tone arm being formed in resilient bearing brackets, and said trunnions having cylindrical bodies and frustoconical portions engaging said bearing brackets whereby any wear is taken up by the resilient bearing brackets.

'7. In a magnetic pickup for tone arms, the combination of a non-magnetic supporting plate having a flat body flange and a transversely extending flange with a pair of U-shaped pole piece members arranged with the legs of the pole pieces extending toward each other and embracing the insulating coils carried by a spool,v

means for securing said pole pieces to the supporting plate, and means for securing the opposite ends of the pole pieces in spaced relation to each other, said pole pieces having the legs which are adjacent said plate formed with a partially cylindrical groove to provide a pair of spaced bearings, a needle chuck having a Abore for receiving a needle, and having a pair of oppositely extending trunnions provided with rubber sleeves located in said bearings, said chuck having an upwardly extending armature located between the other legs of said pole pieces and a permanent electromagnet of substantially U- shape, having its ends engaging the sides of said pole pieces and means carried by said transversely extending ange for urging said permanent magnet against said pole pieces,

8. In a magnetic pickup for tone arms, the combination of a non-magnetic supporting plate having a iiat body flangeand a transversely extrunnions provided with rubber sleeves located in said bearings, said chuck having an vupwardly extending armature located between the other legs of said pole pieces anda permanent electromagnet of substantially U-shape, having its ends engaging the sides of Vsaid pole pieces and` means carried by said transversely extending ange for urging said permanent magnet against said pole pieces, said latter means comprising a set screw provided with lock nuts and having a pointed end adapted to be received in a recess in said yoke.

9. In a magnetic pickup for tone arms, the combination of a non-magnetic supporting plate having a flat body flange and a transversely extending flange with a pair of U-shaped pole piece members arranged with the legs of the pole pieces extending toward each other and embracing the insulating coils carried by a spool, means for securing said pole pieces to. the supporting plate, and means for securing the opposite ends of the pole pieces in spaced relation to each other,

- said pole pieces having the legs which are adjacent said plate formedwith a partially cylinf drical groove to provide a pair of spaced bearings, a needle chuck having a bore for receiving a needle, and having a pair of oppositely extending trunnions provided with rubber sleeves located in said bearings, said chuck having an upwardly extending armature located between the other legs of said pole pieces and apermanent electromagnet of substantially U-shape, having its ends engaging the sides of said pole pieces and means carried by said transversely extending ange for urging said permanent magnet against said pole pieces, said pickup having blocks of resilient rubber disposed between the ends of the pole pieces and said armature, and holding said armature in a middle position between said pole pieces, and adjustable means carried bysaid pole pieces for engaging said blocks and adjusting the pressure placed thereon against said armature.

ROY DALLY. 

